Some of the most powerful figures on the planet are preparing to gather for an annual summit to discuss global policy - at a venue just off an A road in Watford.

Around 150 individuals including politicians, royals, bankers, billionaires and company bosses will attend the Bilderberg 2013 meeting, being hosted at the £210-per-night Grove hotel from June 6 to 9.

No guest list is released for the event - which counts Ken Clarke among its organisers - but the clandestine yearly gathering has previously welcomed luminaries including Britain's last three prime ministers, the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Edinburgh.

Image:The Grove hotel (pic: David Hawgood)

George Osborne and Lord Mandelson have each attended more than one of the meetings, with diplomat Henry Kissinger, banker David Rockefeller, US federal reserve chairman Ben Bernanke and Google chief Eric Schmidt also among those invited in the past.

A large number of protesters are expected to descend on Watford to make their feelings known, with taxpayers likely to have to foot the costs of extra policing.

And residents living nearby have also voiced displeasure after being told rights of way would be closed during the event and that they would be forced to present passports, driving licences or other ID at police checkpoints.

One of those residents, Kevin Butcher, said he was unhappy about the restrictions.